Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2010 02:33:36 -0400 (EDT)
From: J.P.G.
Subject: Jacob Finding His Way: Chapter 45
{Jacob Finding His Way is based on mostly true events in his life. To keep
the story interesting for the readers, some events now in the story are
fictionalized. As I am writing this story, I am above the age of 21. If you
want a story with lots of sex, look elsewhere. This is a love story.
Any similarity to any other events, names, or life events is purely
accidental. If you are underage, (according to your state laws as a minor),
if this literature is offensive to you or to anyone around your viewing
area, or it is illegal for you to view such content where you are reading
it, stop reading the story. This story cannot be distributed in any way,
shape or form without his expressed consent.}
Written by J.P.G.
Chapter 45
Jacob walked into the Coliseum with Dewayne right behind him. They headed
to the front row to try and get seats. They found the entire row empty, so
Jacob and Dewayne selected their seats. Jacob needed to go to the back and
report in with Major Moore. So he explained to Dewayne why he got up to
leave.
As Jacob walked to the back, he had to take several steps back. He thought
he just saw Joey standing by the ticket booths. Jacob just looked and then
just continued on his way. Jacob started to think it has to be his mind
playing tricks on him. He is getting happy again with another guy and he
feels guilty about it. It's one of those intellectual / emotional battles.
Intellectually, he knows that he's free, but emotionally there are still
residual feelings. Nobody can be deeply in love and not have feelings left
once the relationship has terminated.
As he continued the walked to the back, he ran into Loraine first. He
looked at her and then over to her drill team. She didn't give Jacob the
time of day. Jacob knows that Loraine isn't done making trouble yet.
He then ran into Major Moore next as he made his way to the armed drill
team. "Jacob, you were supposed to be here earlier than the drill teams.
The other battalion commanders have been here at least an hour. If you want
a brigade position next year, you're going to have to hustle a lot more."
Jacob didn't want anything to destroy his happiness. He just nodded to
Major Moore and checked in with the armed drill team before heading back to
his seat. Major Moore stopped Jacob as he was walked passed him.
"Where do you think you're going? These are your drill teams and you are
supposed to stay back with them to make sure they don't need anything."
"I want to make sure the cadet we chose to record the drill meet is already
here. Because if he's not you will get on my butt for that. I am checking
on all areas of my responsibilities as Battalion Commander."
"Fine, go ahead and check on AJ. I saw him earlier, but make sure he is set
up and ready to go. I want to have our own copy of this drill meet so I can
look back and make any needed corrections to our drill before the next
competition."
Jacob quickly walked back into the Coliseum and up to where all the schools
put there cadets to record the competition. He found AJ right away and made
sure he had everything he needed.
He quickly walked back down and headed over to Dewayne. Just as he walked
up to the row that he left Dewayne at, he saw Chase, Tom, David, Toni and
Heather talking with Dewayne. He walked over to the guys and knelt down in
front of them.
"Hey Jacob, we are just here chatting with Dewayne. He said that you would
be right back. You were only checking in with your instructor so we saved
you a seat to watch the drill meet." Tom finished up with a smirk.
"Yeah, Major Moore is being a complete asshole like always. He wants me to
stay back there the entire drill meet and don't ask me why. He just wants
to make my life a living hell just like his. Could you guys do me a favor
and keep Dewayne company?"
Everyone said yes almost at the same time. Jacob got up and walked over to
Dewayne and knelt back down on his knees again. He looked up at Dewayne and
wanted to reach up and brushed his fingers across Dewayne's face.
"I am really sorry for doing this to you!" Jacob saw the look on Dewayne's
face changed from being happy to sad. "Fuck this, Dewayne why don't you
come down with me and watch the drill meet on the floor."
Dewayne smiled and got up to follow Jacob. The rest the guys sat back down
and started talking amongst themselves. As they made their way to where the
drill teams are at, Jacob warned Dewayne about Major Moore.
Just as they approached the back of the Coliseum, the other battalion
commanders are being escorted out. He asked the security what is going on,
but they wouldn't answer Jacob. Just then, Major Moore walked up.
"Jacob go ahead and take a seat in the Coliseum. They changed the rules and
now they are only allowing drill team members and instructors back
here. The teams are okay and if we need anything I will send someone to get
you."
Major Moore walked back toward the teams. Jacob didn't care, as long as
Major Moore saw him there is all that matters. He looked at Dewayne and
waved him to head back to their seats again.
All through the drill meet, no one is paying attention to the teams on the
field. The only time they stop talking is when the team from Jefferson High
School, their own team got on the field to perform. The only reason they
are paying a lot of attention to the Jefferson team is because they have
been district champs for five years running until four years ago. They are
the school to always beat in their district.
While the teams performed, either Jacob would accidentally touch Dewayne's
knee with his knee or vice versa. A couple of times they touched each
others hands. Without the other one knowing, they both really wanted to
hold each other's hand.
To no surprise to the audience, Jefferson took second and Newman took first
in both armed and unarmed drills. Newman took outstanding commanders
trophies with both teams and won the drill meet. With this win it gives
them the opportunity to go to state for the fourth time in a row.
Jacob felt it best for the teams to celebrate without an outsider like him
there. He felt that although he is the Battalion Commander, he didn't
drill, so he doesn't belong at their celebration. More so with the issues
he is having with Loraine right now it is best for Jacob to stay away and
let them have their night.
Jacob, Dewayne and the rest walked out to the cars. At the same time, they
looked at their watches and saw it is only ten fifteen. They quickly
started to discuss where to go. They all agreed it's way too early to call
it a night.
"Wherever we go, you need to give me a chance to change out of this
uniform." Jacob grabbed onto his shirt as he talked.
"We are not going to go all the way back to the house just so you can
change. Just take off the jacket, the tie and unbutton your shirt. No one
will be the wiser unless you say something to them."
"Fuck that! There is no way I'm going out on a Friday night in my
uniform. I brought clothes to change into. All I need is a place change
quickly."
Everyone agreed to go with the first restaurant they see. They will grab
something to eat, as Jacob changes his clothes. They also decided it best
for everyone to go in the cars they came in. So they headed to their cars
and will meet back at Jacob's car. That way everyone ends up at the same
restaurant.
Jacob and Dewayne walked to Jacob's car. "I know that this drill meet was
pretty boring. To tell you the truth I just wanted to get to know you a
little bit more. But I couldn't even do that because of the noise and my
friends being there."
Jacob unlocked the doors and threw his uniform jacket on the back
seat. Both of them got in and Jacob started the car right away to get
warm. Neither of them spoke at first and then Dewayne broke the silence.
"I didn't mind coming with you to the drill meet. It is something new that
I have never done. Yeah it was boring at times, but I got to spend some
time with you. I also got to know you a little bit more and your friends as
well.
There are going to be things that you like to do that I might think it is
boring in vice versa. This is something that you like and that means I will
like it too.
I know we haven't gotten know each other at all really, but I want to get
to know you. I want you to understand when I say something I really do mean
it. So if ROTC is something you enjoy, count me in on it."
Jacob couldn't help but smile back at Dewayne. The moment got interrupted
with horns blowing. Jacob looked up and saw Tom in his car and another car
behind him. So Jacob pulled out of his parking spot and getting the group
on the road.
As they drove down Alameda, Tom passed Jacob and honked at him. Tom made a
hand motion to follow him and Jacob agreed. Jacob did most of the talking
as they followed Tom. Dewayne just sat there listening to what Jacob is
talking about.
Jacob told Dewayne about his family from his older brothers to his
sister. He warned Dewayne about his mother and her thoughts about gays. He
explained that his grandfather is the greatest person in his life right
now. Pretty much Jacob told Dewayne a little bit about everybody in his
family.
Just as Jacob finished, he noticed that Tom put on his blinkers to turn
into Chico Taco's. He really doesn't like the food because every time Jacob
eats it, he gets sick. He tried to eat there several times to give it a
fair shake.
They all parked and got out of their cars. "I wish you would have told me
you wanted to eat here. I would've stopped somewhere else and got me
something else to eat. My stomach does not like this food at all."
"Come on Jacob, give it a chance and you might like it. I know we all like
eating here, so you are out voted." Tom slapped Jacob on his butt as he
leaned into his car to get the clothes he's changing into.
Jacob and the rest walked into Chico Taco's talking about what they're
going order. They all want the same thing which is rolled tacos, drenched
in sauce, and covered with a shit load of cheese. That is what Chico
Taco's is known for.
Jacob told Tom to get him the six taco plate with a coke and handed him
three twenties to pay for everybody. He walked up to the counter and asked
for the key to the restroom. As soon as he got the key, he walked out of
the restaurant and around to the restrooms.
As Jacob started to unlock the door, he heard footsteps behind him. Jacob
turned around quickly and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw it is
Dewayne standing there. Dewayne smiled at Jacob as he walked up to him.
"I am sorry for scaring you like that. This is the rougher part of town and
where all the gang members hang out. It is best if any of us go outside, we
go in two's. That way none of us is in danger."
Jacob opened the restroom and both he and Dewayne walked in. "You don't
have to tell me about this side of town. I lived on the edge of central and
lower Valley my freshman year in high school."
"That's right; you went to Austin high school. I just want to make sure
you're safe and no harm comes to you."
As Jacob took off his uniform shirt, Dewayne asked to see his gunshot
wound. "I don't think you can really see it anymore. To tell you the truth
I don't look for it. But you can still see all the other surgical scars."
Jacob lifted his T-shirt and turned around where Dewayne could see all the
surgical scars on his back. After a few minutes, Jacob turned around where
Dewayne could see the surgical scars and the bullet wound.
Dewayne reached out and started touching Jacob's scars. Jacob didn't mind
because he's gotten used to everyone wanting to touch them. It hasn't been
long enough for the scars to begin to fade away and it reminds Jacob every
day of the worst time of his life. At least until this last Thanksgiving.
Once Dewayne moved his hand away, Jacob lowered his T-shirt. He undid his
belt, pulled off his dress shoes, dress socks, and then his pants. Dewayne
just looked at Jacob standing there in the middle of this small restroom
with just his T-shirt and boxer briefs on. He tried his best not to look
down at Jacob's package, but his curiosity got the best of him. Jacob got
dressed and didn't mind Dewayne being there in the restroom.
After Jacob got dressed and combed his hair. They walked over to his car so
he could throw his uniform in the trunk. That's when Dewayne got a good
look at Jacob. Jacob purposely picked these clothes, because he feels he
looks good in them. Dewayne agreed with Jacob because he couldn't stop
looking at Jacob over and over again.
They walked in and found everyone at one of the larger tables. On one side
sat Tom, David, Heather and Toni. On the other side is Chase, who got out
where Jacob and Dewayne could slide in.
As they sat down, Jacob noticed the tacos and his drink already at the
table. They started digging in and just talking to each other. Nothing
about school and nothing about Joey and his family. They kept the
atmosphere light and fun.
At one point, Jacob reached over and rested his hand on Dewayne's leg. Not
even a minute passed when Dewayne put his hand under the table to hold
Jacob's. This is a big step forward for Jacob and even Dewayne, but they
didn't let go of each other's hand until they were ready to leave.
As they headed out, they stood by the cars to try to figure out where to go
next. Since no one could agree on where to go next. They finally just gave
up, and decided to head back to the house and watch movies.
Jacob and Dewayne got into Jacob's car and drove off with the others behind
him. "What a way to start our Christmas break! We are normally not this
boring! We normally have so much to do and not enough time to do it." Jacob
spoke softly as they reached the freeway home.
"Jacob, please, all I care about is getting to know you. We will have
plenty of time to hang out at different places. At least I hope we do!"
Dewayne reached over and grabbed hold of Jacob's hand.
It didn't take long to get back to Jacob's house. The freeway is pretty
empty since the people at the clubs haven't started clearing out yet. As
Jacob drove into the driveway he looked over at Dewayne.
"Look at me and not even asking you if you needed go home. I would like it
if you could, stay a while and watch movies with us or maybe we can go down
to the game room and play pool or something."
"I have no reason to go home. My parents really don't care where I am so
that means I can pretty much stay out all night and day if I choose to."
They got out of the car and headed into the house. Dewayne just looks
around as they walked to the entrance of the basement. When Jacob looked at
Dewayne, it dawned on him this is the first time that he has been in this
house.
With that in mind Jacob started to explain to Dewayne everything about the
house. How the original house was bought and all the add-ons they have done
since. Jacob took Dewayne outside to the back yard to show him where the
pool is going to be.
"So you guys took this old house and just made it new again. I have never
seen something like this before. Someone buying three houses that are
already built and making it into one house! That is awesome man!"
"Yeah, that is pretty awesome if I say so myself. We originally didn't have
that plan. I bought this house for me and, well you know. But over time, my
grandfather moved to town and bought the house next door and I bought the
house behind us. Then we decided to make them all into one house."
As they walked back to the house, they ran right into Jacob's
grandfather. Jacob and Dewayne stopped in the middle of the kitchen as
Jacob's grandfather looked up from the table as he put his cup of coffee
down.
Jacob introduced Dewayne to his grandfather, but his grandfather reminded
him that he had already met Dewayne. Jacob forgot and apologized to his
grandfather. Before Jacob left the kitchen his grandfather asked Jacob to
find him before he went to bed.
They went to the game room and joined the others. Time flew by so quickly,
before they knew it. It is already almost three in the morning. They were
having so much fun, none of them bothered to look at the time.
Jacob and Dewayne decided to call it a night, and headed upstairs. They
grabbed their coats before headed to Jacob's car. They didn't say anything
on the way to Dewayne's house; because Dewayne had fallen asleep the minute
Jacob drove out of the driveway.
Jacob slowly stopped as he reached Dewayne's house. After putting his car
in park, he gently shook Dewayne. Dewayne slowly woke up and looked over at
Jacob. Both of the boys smiled at each other as they looked in each others
eyes.
"I would like to spend as much time with you as possible. Can I call you
tomorrow after I get off of work? Please, I really enjoyed myself with you
tonight. I don't want to rush things, but I really like being with you."
Jacob smiled and nodded his head. "Of course you can call me tomorrow as
soon as you get off of work. I will come to pick you up either here at your
house or at the restaurant. I will be waiting for your call."
The boys are so nervous; they didn't know what to do. They want to kiss
each other goodnight, but ended the evening just shaking each other's
hand. Jacob stood there in his car watching Dewayne walked into his house
before he left.
By the time Jacob got home, it is already too late to speak with his
grandfather. He headed up to bed and will talk to him later in the
morning. As he shut his door to his room, Jacob stripped off his
clothes. By the time he reached his bed, he only had his boxer briefs on.
Jacob didn't wake up again until noon. He pulled himself out of bed, tossed
on a pair of running pants and a T-shirt, before going downstairs. He found
the others barely eating breakfast in the kitchen when he walked in.
He took a seat as Franseca placed a plate of food in front of him with a
cup of orange juice. As Jacob finished eating, his grandfather walked
in. Jacob looked up at him and new that his grandpa isn't happy with him.
Grandpa Al sat down at the table with his cup of coffee. "I do not want to
be the bad guy here. I want you to be happy no matter what. But I need to
know if you are planning on going out with Dewayne."
Jacob just looked at his grandfather and nodded his head up and
down. Grandpa Al took another drink of his coffee and looked back at his
grandson. He still sees the sadness and the hurt in Jacob's eyes. The only
time he hasn't seen that look since Joey left was last night when Jacob was
with Dewayne.
"I know that Dewayne is going to be good for you. You just cannot get into
a relationship with a person that we employ. I know you will not show
Dewayne any favoritism, but if others find out that one of the owners is
dating one of the employees, we are going to have complaints from them.
This is more important now that you stepped in and terminated the assistant
manager. The reason you terminated the assistant manager is legal and
nothing can truthfully be said otherwise. What makes it even stickier is
that the incident that resulted in the termination was between the manager
and Dewayne. You also know how rumors are at jobs and no matter what the
truth actually is. The employees are only going to see what they want to
see and will listen to the loudest complainer.
Jacob, I don't want to see you hurting anymore. I want to see you as happy
as you were last night when I saw you with Dewayne. You cannot do it at the
cost of our business. People today sue and complain every chance they get."
As Jacob's grandfather spoke with him, it felt like what is left of his
heart is being pulled out and stomped on by his grandfather. Tears started
to roll up in his eyes as his grandfather told him he could not date
Dewayne.
Before the waterworks started, Jacob agreed with his grandfather. He got up
from the table and headed to his room. After closing the door to his room,
he fell onto his bed letting go. He started to cry and tried his best to
muffle his cries by placing a pillow over his face. He didn't want anyone
else in the house to hear him crying.
Some how he cried himself to sleep! He started to hear Dewayne's voice far
away. At first he thought he was dreaming, but slowly Dewayne's voice got
louder and louder. Until he realized it isn't a dream and slowly opened his
eyes. As his eyes focused, he saw Dewayne sitting there on his bed.
"Hey there sleepyhead, now I see why you didn't answer the phone. I tried
to call you several times and every time someone different
answered. Finally, Tom answered and came down to pick me up.
If you are tired and want to rest, I can leave and come back later. I just
wanted to spend the evening with you."
"No please don't go I want you to stay. I just had a rough morning, that's
all."
"Tell me what happened and maybe I can help you. You look like you have had
a rough morning and maybe even a rough night." Dewayne started to put his
fingers through Jacob's hair as he sat up from the bed.
At first Jacob didn't want to tell Dewayne anything about the conversation
he had with his grandfather. Eventually, Jacob finally folded and told
Dewayne everything. As Jacob spoke he fought back his tears again.
"Jacob, I understand where you're grandfather is coming from and I do agree
with him. We are not doing anything wrong and you have not shown me any
favoritism. But just like your grandfather said, the other employees are
going to think differently.
I really want us to have a chance. I have fallen for you the very first day
you walked into the door of the McDonald's. Now here we are giving each
other a chance at something and I don't want anything to get between
us. That even includes this job.
Jacob, I am very serious about wanting to be with you. Not because of what
you have as far as wealth or who you are. The first day I saw you I didn't
know who you were and what you have. I fell for you, for you, and nothing
else. That hasn't changed since then.
I will quit working for McDonald's and find another job somewhere else. I
just want to give us a chance. I like you Jacob and I really want to be
with you. Please, don't let anything like this stand in the way of us
getting to know each other."
Jacob didn't respond to what Dewayne said. Instead, he just fell into
Dewayne's chest and wrapped his arms around him. Dewayne wrapped his arms
around Jacob and allowed him to cry into his shoulder. He held Jacob
against him until Jacob collected himself.
"Give me a few minutes to take a quick shower and get dressed. We can go
downstairs and see what the other guys are going to do today." Jacob got up
from the bed and walked over to the bathroom.
As Jacob showered, Dewayne looked around the room. He noticed places where
there were once pictures hanging, but now the wall is bare. As he walked
around the room he saw the same thing on the dressers. He could tell that
there were picture frames once sitting on the dressers, but again now it is
empty.
Although this will be Dewayne's first actual relationship, if it gets that
far, but it is Jacob's second! Right now Jacob is in a weird place, and
Dewayne is going to have to be patient with Jacob as much as Jacob will
have to be with Dewayne. Both of the boys have realized that.
After Jacob got dressed, both of them walked downstairs. The first person
they walked into is Jacob's grandfather. Dewayne looked at Jacob's
grandfather and asked to speak with him in private. The three of them
walked into the study to talk.
"Mr. Serna, Jacob told me about the conversation you and he had this
morning. I agree with what you told Jacob and I told Jacob that. At the
same time, Jacob and I want to see if we click together. We both come into
this with our own demons.
Still, I am willing to do anything to make Jacob happy. That includes
giving my two week notice to my job. I can easily find another job
somewhere else, but I can never find another Jacob anywhere else."
Grandpa Al couldn't believe his ears. He has gotten used to his grandson
being the strong one all the time in the relationship; his grandson always
being the one doing whatever it took in order to make relationship succeed!
His grandson being the one that bent over backwards to always make his
partner happy! It is great that he found someone as strong as he is to
share the hard times they are going to run into.
"Let me ask you this question Dewayne. Do you want my grandson for my
grandson or because of what he has? I have to protect him from those that
want to take advantage of such a kindhearted person such as he is. He
doesn't see the evil in this world."
"I will tell you just what I told Jacob. I fell for him before I even knew
who he was. He walked into the McDonald's one Saturday and I saw him and
that was it. I held out hope to see him again and I did. So many times I
wanted to talk with him, but didn't have the nerve.
I don't care if Jacob is poor or rich. I like him for him and only
him. None of this..." Dewayne pointed his finger around the room as he
spoke. "None of this he has means anything to me. I only want him and will
never depend on him for anything."
"That is what I wanted to hear from you. If Jacob and you decide to go
further in a relationship, don't hurt him. He will never hurt you, but
please don't hurt him. He has gone through so much hurt in this life so
far, I cannot see him hurt anymore."
Nothing else needed to be said between the three of them. Grandpa Al was
satisfied with what Dewayne told him. Dewayne and Jacob both felt relieved
getting Grandpa Al's approval on their relationship if it goes forward.
After finishing up in the study, Dewayne and Jacob found Chase, Tom and
David down in the game room. They joined the others and started playing
pool again. As they played they made plans to go to the mall and catch a
movie.
Just like the night before, both Jacob and Dewayne are too nervous to do
anything more than touch one another on the leg or knee here and there. As
they watched the movie, they held hands. That is a close's the boys got all
night. Jacob dropped Dewayne off earlier than the night before and they
just shook hands. Dewayne works the opening shift and needs to get some
sleep.
Jacob sat up in his room unable to sleep. He couldn't stop thinking how
Dewayne is willing to quit his job for him. He needs to do something to
help Dewayne out. Then it dawned on him, he knows what to do to help
Dewayne get another job.
The next morning, Jacob got up early and headed out. He remembered that his
old manager at Taco Bell opens up Sunday mornings. He wants to catch her
before the morning rush.
As he arrived at his old job, his old manager is unlocking the door. She
looked up at Jacob and smiled when she saw him. "Jacob, my boy, it is so
good to see you! You have become a stranger and I'm very angry with you for
that. You may not be working here, but that doesn't mean I don't want to
see you once in a while."
Jacob and Martha sat down in the lobby. Martha offered Jacob a drink, and
he accepted. After getting Jacob a Pepsi, she sat back down. He took a
drink from his cup and sat it down as he cleared his throat.
"I have a big favor to ask you and please feel free to say no." Martha just
looked at Jacob and didn't say a word. "I don't know if you are aware that
I am gay. I don't think I ever told you when I worked here, but I never hid
it either.
During that time I was going through a rough patch with my ex. We
eventually got back together, but we just recently broke up. I am now
starting to see a new guy, and I really want it to work, but I have a
problem."
Jacob stopped and looked across at Martha as he took a drink from this
Pepsi. "Go on Jacob, I am listening. I will not pass any judgment, because
I got to know the real Jacob. That Jacob no matter what he does in his
private life, I like and respect."
"I also don't know if you knew that I have some money I won in a
lawsuit. My grandfather has been investing it very well and just recently
we purchased out the franchises of McDonald's here in El Paso.
Now that brings me up to with my favor I need to ask you. The guy that I
like actually works in one of my McDonald's. My grandfather told me I
cannot date someone that is an employee of mine. The other employees may
think I am showing favoritism towards him.
So I thought I lost him, but he made it easy for me yesterday. He gave his
two week notice to his manager today so where me being an owner is no
longer a problem. But, he really needs his job and I feel really bad for
him giving it up for me.
He is a very hard worker and will do anything that is asked of him. He
really needs a job and he will not take any handouts from me. So I am
wondering if you can hire him and give him forty hours a week like he is
getting over there."
"Jacob, you hit me at..."
"Please wait a minute I am not done! If you do me this favor, I promise
you, if you want a position with my company. I have a store manager
position open at one of my larger stores and supervisor position open as
well. The supervisor position that is open is in charge of six different
stores. I will leave it up to you which one you would like to take."
"If you would let me finish, I would've told you that you hit me at the
right time. I lost several employees that were full time employees. I
believe you when you tell me that he is a hard worker and I will give him a
job.
I am not giving him the job because you are offering me a position within
your company. I am giving him a job because you are recommending him. You
proved to me how hard of a worker you are, and you will not recommend
someone lesser then you.
Even if I were to get someone lesser than you, that person will be better
than half of the ones I got here. But again, I know you wouldn't do that to
me. So send him down and I will get him started as soon as he's available.
We will talk about the offer in a couple days. I want you to think about it
and make sure you offering that position to me because of my
qualifications. Not because you want me to do you a favor that I am more
than willing to do without your offer."
"My offer still stands and I'm not lying to when I say this. When the
supervisor position opened up you came to mind. I just haven't had a chance
to come down here. The store manager position just recently opened and how
that came about I will not get into."
"I will not ask you to give me any information about a former
employee. Will you let me at least think about which of the positions to
take? At the same time I want to bring in your boyfriend and get him
settled in.
That way when I leave and hand over my store to the new manager I can take
that manager to the side and make sure he or she understands that your
boyfriend always gets his full eighty hours a pay period."
Jacob got up and thanked Martha over and over again. He left feeling a lot
better then he was feeling when he walked in there. He can now tell Dewayne
he has a job to go right into after his two weeks are up.
As Jacob got home, he just sat in his car looking at the house. He turned
and looked at the sidewalk where he was at the last time he saw Joey. He
could remember that day as clearly as if it is happening right now. He just
looked at where he was sitting at when Joey left him and he started to cry.
Jacob got startled when he heard someone knocking at his passenger side
window. Jacob wiped his eyes and looked over to find his father standing
there staring back at him. Jacob got out of the car and looked at his dad.
"Not to be rude, but I didn't know that you had planned to come down
today. I haven't changed my mind about what I told you last time. You need
to speak with my grandfather and as well my brothers. I know it can be hard
to speak with Jeremy, but you can speak with Andy with no problem
whatsoever."
"I know Jacob and that is why I am here today. I spoke with Al yesterday
and he told me to come down this morning. He and I had a very long
talk. After speaking with him I remember why I never wanted to be on his
bad side."
Jacob wiped his face again and blew his nose. He is hoping that his father
didn't see him crying as he walked up to the car. It is already hard for
Jacob to explain to others what happened between him and Joey. The sad
thing is Jacob really doesn't know what did actually happen. Perhaps that's
why he can't get proper closure.
"Jacob, I'm not going to ask you anything that you are not ready to talk
with me about. I just want you to know that I am here whenever you need
someone else besides your grandfather and your friends. I know I have to
earn my way back into your life."
Jacob asked his father to follow him into the house. As they walked in,
they found Al walking towards the front door. He stopped and looked at
Jacob as he walked in followed by his father.
"I didn't know you were out so early this morning Jacob. May I ask where
you were? I really hope you were in your bed all night long."
"Grandpa, you know I wouldn't stay at another person's house without
letting you know. I went out to speak to my old store manager at Taco
Bell. She agreed to hire Dewayne and give him his full eighty hours."
"That is very good Jacob and I am glad things are working out. The little
bit you have told me about her, you should try to steal her away from
their. We need more managers like her that we can trust in our stores."
"I offered her the store manager position or the supervisor position. It
looks like she's leaning towards the store manager position more than
supervisor position. But she will not come to us until Dewayne is settled
in."
"I am fine with that just let me know what position she decides on. I also
wanted to let you now that I looked over Dewayne's file. He has actually
gathered up some vacation time. If he doesn't take the time before he
quits, he will lose it. So if he wants to take that vacation time as his
two-week notice, I'm fine with that also."
Jacob told his grandfather that he will speak with Dewayne about that later
today. He will leave it up to Dewayne as to what he wants to do with his
vacation time. At that point Jacob headed back up to his room and his
grandfather and father walked into the study.
"I want to make a couple things clear to you once again before you start
seeing your children. You are their father and I will not stand in your way
to be their father. What I will do though is protect all of them from you
hurting them again. They are grown up now, but they still can be hurt.
I am having a lot of problems with Gloria dealing with Jacob. I told you
something about him that should have come from him. But I want to make sure
that if he tells you about himself, you wouldn't freak out. I have enough
of that with Gloria right now," Al concluded.
"Al, when I got here this morning, I found Jacob in his car staring at the
sidewalk and crying. He is still hurting a lot and trying to mask it. He is
a very strong young man and doesn't deserve what he's going through right
now. That kind of hurt and loss should only be felt when you're a lot
older, if ever at all!"
"Andy, Jacob may not think that I don't see that he is still hurting, but I
do. One thing you will learn about Jacob is that he likes to deal with his
own problems. I know it's not healthy, but he's been very successful
getting himself through a lot of stuff in his life.
The other thing we talked about yesterday is employment for you. I will
hire you, but you will start from the bottom and work your way up. Don't
get me wrong, I am not going to keep you on the bottom if you show me you
are here to stay and you are here no other reason than for your kids. I
just can't understand why you waited so long to step back into your kids
lives," Al said leaving it open for Andy to reveal more.
"Like I told you yesterday, when I finally cleaned up, I tried to find
Gloria and the kids. I even hired a private investigator. By the time they
caught up to her, she moved out of Wyoming and I didn't know where she
went. I went back to the private investigator and he finally found her here
in El Paso.
She remarried and took her new husband's name, but when she got divorced,
she went back to my name. That's how the private investigator was able to
track her down. After I got the news I needed to save enough money to move
here.
I have enough to get the apartment and several months to live on. I will
take any job you will give me. After that, I will prove to you my true
intentions are my kids. Once you feel that I earned a promotion, and then
give it to me."
As Al and Andy Sr. talked in the study, Jacob crawled back into bed. He
couldn't shake the slump he got himself into when he got home. Just like
the day before, and the days before that, Jacob cried himself to sleep.
This time, Jacob heard his door open when Dewayne walked in. Jacob looked
over and smiled for the first time since he got home. Dewayne walked over
to Jacob and sat down on his bed. He hadn't even gone home to change after
work. Instead, he came straight over to Jacob's house.
"You smell like fries and hamburgers, enough for me to want to eat you for
breakfast." Jacob whispered as he pulled Dewayne onto the bed. Dewayne
landed on Jacobs's side laughing at what Jacob said.
Dewayne pulled off his jacket, threw it on the ground, and lay back down
beside Jacob. They didn't do a thing, but just lay there side by side. At
this point, that is all that Jacob is ready for, and Dewayne knows it.
Jacob got up from the bed and tossed a pillow at Dewayne. Dewayne got up
and started hitting Jacob with a pillow. Jacob ran back to the bed and
grabbed the other pillow before Dewayne caught up to him. They started to
softly hit each other with the pillows as they ran out of the room.
Dewayne gave chase to Jacob, as he ran into David's and Tom's room. They
woke David and Tom up, and they joined in. Before they knew it, somehow,
they ended up in Chase's room waking him in. He also joined in the pillow
fight.
With all the noise that they were making between the three rooms, Andy and
Jeremy walked out of their rooms. Andy quickly walked into his room and
grabbed his pillow to join in. Jeremy is the only one that didn't join in,
but he sat there watching and cheering.
They finally ran out of breath and sat down in the hallway. They started
laughing and joking around with each other. The only one that is actually
dressed is Dewayne. The others are in their boxers and/or running pants.
Jacob got up and tossed his pillow again at Dewayne. "Why don't you jump
into my shower and rinse off? Unless you want me to take you home to
change. I know you don't want to be running around in your McDonald's
uniform."
"Well, I think I should go home and change because I don't have any other
clothes with me."
"Look around you Dewayne, one of us should have clothes that should fit
you. If not, I will loan you my running pants to wear."
"Come on Jacob, tell the truth! You want to see how this guy looks without
his clothes. I want to see what he looks without as clothes." Tom tossed
his pillow at Jacob's mid section laughing as Jacob pretended that it hit
him hard in the privates.
"Jacob here doesn't need any excuses to see me without my clothes. All he
has to do is ask me and I'm more than willing to let him see." Dewayne said
as he got up and started to take off his shirt. Jacob grabbed him and
pulled him into the room before he took anything else off in front of the
others.
Dewayne walked over to Jacob's bathroom, as Jacob got him a clean
towel. After putting the towel on the sink, Jacob walked out leading
Dewayne in the bathroom. As he took a shower, Jacob grabbed Dewayne's pants
and shirt to see the size.
Dewayne has the exact same waist size as Jacob. Jacob grabbed him a pair of
Levi's and a sweater. He opened a brand-new bag of socks and got out a
pair. He walked back over to the bathroom and set the clothes on the other
side of the sink.
While Dewayne showered in Jacob's bathroom, he went over and borrowed
David's shower. After he finished taking a shower, he went back to his room
to get dressed. He found Dewayne sitting on the bed fully dressed in the
clothes he left him.
"So how do you feel after taking a shower? I am pretty sure that you are
tired from working this morning. If you want, we can just hang around here
so you can rest. I will leave it up to you on what we are going to do."
"No, I am fine! It will hit me later this evening, but right now I'm just
fine." Dewayne got up and walked over to the mirror to comb his hair.
"Dewayne, I hope you won't be mad at me, but I did something. A couple
years back, I had a job at Taco Bell. I got to know the manager down there
really good and I went to talk with her today. She has a full time position
open and is offering it to you."
"Why would I get mad at you for helping me get another job? Just tell me
when and where to go to accept this job." Dewayne walked up to Jacob and
actually wrapped his arms around him. Dewayne is actually an inch taller
than Jacob.
Jacob loves how it feels with Dewayne wrapped around him. Jacob placed his
hands on top of Dewayne's and they just stood there. All of a sudden, Jacob
remembered the conversation he had with his grandfather when he got home.
"I almost forgot to tell you what my grandfather told me this morning. He
looked over your employment record and saw that you gathered up sixty-four
vacation hours. You can't get them paid to you after you quit. You only
receive any vacation hours that you didn't take if you are laid off."
"I didn't even know that I get paid vacation." Dewayne said with surprise
in his voice as he let go of Jacob.
"Yeah, I guess your managers never informed you about what you get as a
full-time employee. You may not have been hired as a full-time employee,
but after working a certain amount of time as a full-time employee you are
automatically switched over to all those benefits and it back dates to when
you started working full-time.
My grandfather wanted me to tell you that he doesn't want you to lose what
you earned. So he's willing to let you use those hours as your two week
notice. You will get all your hours because you worked Saturday and Sunday
and that's the start of the pay period."
"I hope you're not playing a trick on me about these hours. I would like to
take them and spend as much time with you as possible before I go back to
work and you go back to school."
Jacob confirmed to Dewayne that it isn't a joke and he should take his
vacation hours so he doesn't lose them. Dewayne agreed before they headed
down to the kitchen to get something to eat.
They walked in and found Andy and Jeremy sitting at the table with their
grandfather and father. Jacob's father got up and walked over to introduce
himself to Dewayne. They both shook hands as they walked over to the table.
The next thing they heard was the door opening and Gloria's voice calling
out. Jacob and his grandfather got up and met her in the hallway before
she walked into the kitchen. Al took Gloria into the den to let her know
who is sitting in the kitchen.
Jacob rejoined the others the kitchen and warned Dewayne again about his
mother. Dewayne looked a little scared, but knew eventually he is going to
meet Jacob's mother. He figured better sooner than later.
A few minutes later, Gloria walked into the kitchen. She looked at her
ex-husband sitting there at the table. He hasn't changed a bit since she
last saw him. She walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek.
"It is good to see you Andy; it has been way too long. I am glad you found
your kids and want to be part of their lives. Maybe with your help, things
will get back to normal around here once again."
"As far as I can see Gloria, everything is normal. The only thing I see
missing is the parents to these kids. I am guilty for walking away, and now
I hope that my sons give me a chance to get to know them."
Marie walked in and just stood at the doorway. Everyone looked over at her
as she stood looking at them. Gloria walked over to her daughter and pulled
her in to meet her brothers' father.
They shook hands as they got introduced. Marie joined the rest of them at
the table. Virginia, their grandmother, set several more plates on the
table, and then brought the food over for everyone to eat.
No one said anything mean or fought with each other. In fact, Jacob's
father controlled Gloria when she started asking Dewayne a lot of
questions. It looks like Andy Sr. has a way to keep Gloria in her place.
They spent most of the day hanging out at the house together as a
family. Dewayne, Chase, Tom and David got welcome in as part of the family
also. Every time Gloria stepped over the line, Jacob's father pulled her
back. That made the day a lot more comfortable for everybody.
By eight, Andy Sr. and Gloria left. Marie asked to stay and Gloria gave her
permission. After Jacob's mother and father left, he and Dewayne headed to
the kitchen to get something to snack on. That is when Marie corner of
them.
"Jacob I need to talk with you about something important." Jacob turned
around and nodded his head. "I want to make sure you are okay with Greg,
because he really wants to go out with me and I want to go out with him."
"I am fine with Greg and I know grandpa is to. We know that it wasn't Greg
that pushed for the District Attorney to prosecute me or threaten to
sue. We know it was all his father's doing, and nobody else's."
"Man that is a load off of my shoulders hearing that. I know mom will not
accept us going out. That is why I asked Greg to call and come down here
only, not at mom's house. I hope that's okay after what has happened
between you guys."
"I already told you I am fine with that. Eventually you're going to have to
tell mom and she will have to accept it. The ones I think you guys are
going to have to worry about is Greg's parents, not mom so much."
All three of them walked back out of the kitchen and joined the rest in the
television room. By twelve, Dewayne had fallen asleep on the couch. Jacob
walked over and very lightly woke him up.
"If you want, you can stay over. We have an apartment downstairs where you
can sleep. If you don't feel uncomfortable doing that, I can always take
you home."
Dewayne rubbed his eyes as he spoke. "I better go home where I don't get in
trouble with my parents. I would like to stay over, but let me give my
parents enough warning about it. Maybe sometime this week I can stay over."
Jacob agreed as he pulled Dewayne up from the couch. He took Dewayne home,
and this time when they said good bye to each other, they actually
kissed. Not a long kiss or French kind of kiss just a simple beginner's
kiss between new boyfriends.
Jacob didn't get to see Dewayne all day Monday. He got a little worried
about Dewayne, because last couple days Dewayne made a point of seeing
Jacob. Plus Dewayne never gave Jacob his phone number to call him.
When Jacob woke up on Tuesday morning, he quickly showered and headed down
for breakfast. He wants to start working on the promise he gave Alex the
night before. Tech High is open all the way to Christmas Eve. The teachers
do not get a long break like the students do.
After they finished eating breakfast, he informed his grandfather where
he's going and headed to the front door. Just as he opened the door,
Dewayne was about to ring the doorbell. Jacob looked at him and leaned in
to kiss him on the cheek.
"You had me worried all day yesterday. Don't ever go a day without calling
me at least! The next time you disappear on me like that, I'm going to hunt
you down and yell at you for worrying me."
Dewayne pulled Jacob into a hug and whispered into his ear. "I promise to
never do that again to you. I went to work, because I felt bad leaving them
high and dry. I have the next two days off, and they're going to get others
to fill in the rest of my shifts. As of now, I am no longer an employee of
your company. That means we can be together without any worries of people
thinking badly about you or me."
They walked over to Jacob's car and got in. Jacob explained to Dewayne what
he's planning to do on behalf of his friend Alex. Dewayne is actually
surprised that Jacob is doing favors for the person that actually tried to
kill him not once, but several times. But at the same time, he respects
Jacob for that.
They drove into the parking lot Tech High and ran into the building because
it's really cold outside to be walking. They walked over to the
instructor's office of the print shop. As the first time Jacob has been in
there with all the machines off. It is actually very quiet and he can hear
himself think.
Jacob found the instructor doing paperwork. "Sir, excuse me, sir I am
wondering if I can talk with you for a few minutes."
The instructor turned to see who is talking to him. "Good morning Jacob, I
thought we have finished all our business. What can I do for you on this
cold Tuesday morning?"
"I know this class is no longer being offered and you are trying to sell
the equipment. I have a friend that wants to start a printing company at
the juvenile detention facility. So what I'm wondering is what you're
asking price for these machines are?"
The instructor walked over to the filing cabinet and pulled out a file. He
opened it and turned it to the last page. He handed it to Jacob before
sitting back down. Jacob looked at it and immediately knew it was way too
much for Alex and the program. They only have so much money given to them
by the state.
"Is this the lowest you can go on these machines?"
"If your friend is willing to buy everything before the end of the week, I
can knock off a couple thousand dollars on the price."
That is still way too much for what Alex has. Jacob thought about it and
decided to buy the equipment himself. He will donate it to the facility and
write it off on his tax return. He will also not tell Alex that he paid for
the equipment. Instead, he will lie and tell him that the school district
donated it to his program.
Jacob pulled out his checkbook as he walked back to the instructor. "Okay,
I am going to go ahead and write a check for the full amount. What I need
you to do is get everything ready to ship out by the end of the week."
Jacob wrote out the check and handed it to the instructor. The instructor
left about twenty minutes later came back with a receipt and all the proof
of purchase for the machines. Jacob took the paper work and reconfirmed
that machines will be ready for pickup and delivery by the end of the week.
After that, Jacob and Dewayne headed back to Jacob's house. As they drove
into the driveway, Jacob noticed that Dewayne looks very nervous. They got
out of the car and Dewayne walked over to a car parked in the street with
an older couple.
As soon as Dewayne got to the car, it looks like they are arguing with
him. Dewayne walked back shortly after words to Jacob. "I am very sorry,
but my parents need me to go home. I will try to come back later today, I
promise."
Dewayne just turned around and walked back to the car and got in. Jacob
just stood there watching Dewayne drive off with his parents. He started to
think that being outside this house is nothing but bad luck for him. Joey
left him outside the front of the house and now Dewayne had to leave
abruptly.
Jacob walked in and went straight to the living room. Just as he sat down,
Franseca walked in all panicky needing to talk to Jacob. She explained her
phone call that she just had to Jacob, and immediately Jacob stormed out of
the house, grabbing his coat!
A few hours later, Jacob got back home. He found Franseca and explained to
her that everything is okay. It was just a misunderstanding and it all got
straightened out. Franseca kept saying thank you to Jacob over and over
again.
She pulled Jacob into the kitchen and prepared a plate of food for
Jacob. She placed the plate on the table in front of Jacob and went back
and got himself a glass of orange juice. She stood there waiting to see if
Jacob needed anything else. Every time Jacob told her that he is fine and
that she should sit down and relax, she refused.
Just as he finished eating breakfast, the doorbell rang. Franseca won't let
Jacob get up to answer the door, she went instead. Jacob got up, gathered
his plates and silverware and went to place them in the sink. He felt
someone behind him, but before he could react, a pair of hands covered his
eyes.
"Guess who?" Jacob smiled, and pretended that he had no idea who it is
behind him.
After the hands got removed from his eyes, Jacob turned around and pulled
Dewayne into him. "You left so abruptly, I thought I lost you for the
day. I am glad to see that you were able to come back."
"I couldn't stand being away from you and more so after seeing the look on
your face when I left. I made a promise to you and your grandfather, most
importantly to you; I will never hurt you in any way. So I did my chores
and got back to you as quickly as possible. I hope that everything is fine
between you and me."
Jacob leaned in and gave Dewayne a peck on his lips at the same time
pulling Dewayne down to the game room. Once they got down there, they sat
playing video games until David, Chase and Tom joined them. The boys just
sat there in the room talking about nothing important.
"I think we are going to have to open up this apartment down here and give
it to Dewayne. It seems that every time I turn around, Dewayne is here."
Chase teased Jacob as he got up and started to run up the stairs.
Jacob got up and gave chase to Chase up the stairs, followed by the
rest. They ended up running outside to the back yard. Pushing over boards,
buckets and running right into the workers! They apologized and walked back
in laughing at angering the workers outside.
As they got back inside, they headed to the television room. They sat there
making plans on what to do today. Jacob just sat there looking straight
into Dewayne's eyes and Dewayne looking straight to Jacob's eyes. They both
are falling for each other, and don't know what to do about it.
TO BE CONTINUED...
WRITER'S CORNER:
{Okay, let me say this before I forget. I write between three to four
chapters a week. I write "Shadow of My Father" first, then "Beneath the
Mask", then "Jacob Finding His Way" last. Now I have added "Regrets and
Heartaches" to that list.
The reason I'm telling you this is because as I finish writing each chapter
I send them off to my editor. He edits as he reads like a reader does. He
finished editing chapter sixteen of "Beneath the Mask" and wrote me an
e-mail about a flaw in the chapter. When I read the e-mail, I couldn't help
but laugh and write him back with a sarcastic remark.
Remember you guys, all three stories are combined in one way or
another. Eventually they are going to come into one in "Shadow of My
Father". I wrote in "Beneath the Mask", chapter sixteen, the complete
conversation between Jacob and Alex that is not in this chapter. All you
see in this chapter is Franseca running and asking Jacob for help.
Now, in this chapter we have Jacob going to Tech High and buying the
equipment. He made up his mind that he's going to lie to Alex and say it
was the donation from the school district. That is what happens in "Beneath
the Mask" chapter sixteen, but my editor caught it and pointed it at out to
me. School districts cannot donate and even if they do it takes a lot of
time. I agreed with him, but he hasn't gotten this chapter yet and I
pointed that out to him as I e-mailed him back.
I tie in all the stories with different plots and as I told my
editor. Don't assume something until you get all three chapters that
week. As I am writing these chapters they are in the same timeline. They
will be posted that way as well.
Now enough with that, let's get down to the story. A lot happened in this
chapter and I really am enjoying all the new plots. Let's start with
Jacob's father. It really looks like he is here to get to know his kids and
nothing more. Grandpa Al has laid down the law with him and he has accepted
Grandpa Al's terms and conditions.
We also see in this chapter that Andy Sr. has a way with Gloria. Every time
she said or tried to say something about Dewayne or Jacob, Andy Sr. pulled
her back and put her in her place. She didn't fight him or say
anything. Now remember they left together, is that a hint of something to
come between them?
Grandpa Al has also laid down the law with Jacob and Dewayne. He made it
very clear that they cannot date while Dewayne is an employee of their
company. Some may think that was mean, but it needed to be done. Jacob is
still young and will make wrong decisions here and there because he doesn't
have the experience like his grandfather does.
Dewayne handled that situation with flying colors. He not only agreed with
Grandpa Al, he gave his two-week notice. He wants a relationship that is
developing between Jacob and him to have a chance and if quitting the job
helps that, he did it. He doesn't want anything to stand between him and
the developing relationship with Jacob.
We also see a difference between Dewayne and Joey. Grandpa Al even stated
that in the story as he spoke with Dewayne. Jacob was always the strong one
holding the relationship together between him and Joey. No matter what was
going on, Jacob was always the one that did whatever it took to keep the
relationship together. Here with Dewayne, it's a different story. So far
Dewayne has shown he is more than able to be as strong and willing to
compromise as Jacob has been in the past.
Jacob seems to still be the one that everyone turns to. Jacob helps Alex
out of a bind, keeps Alex's mother from having a heart attack, doing
whatever is required of him in the ROTC program and everything else in the
house. All through this, he is trying to work through his heartbreak and
hiding that from everybody else. I really hope he doesn't break or get
sick, because of everything that's on his shoulders.
This story has so much going on; I just don't have enough space in each
chapter to write about everything that is going on. We will have love
scenes back very soon, and I hope you guys stay patient on that. For
awhile, Tom and David are going to be the ones having the love scenes in
the story, because Jacob is barely popping his head above water as far as a
relationship is concerned.
I am going to give away a plot coming up the next chapters. Keep an eye out
on the Toni character. He is not going to be killed off, but things are
going to come to a boiling point at his foster home. One of two things is
going to happen. Toni is either going to go into the system and never be
seen again or Jacob steps in and helps him out. That part is going to be
very interesting and you cannot miss it.
As always I can go on and on about the open plots in the story! If I do
that, I can actually write several more chapters. There are so many plots
that can take a turn at anytime. You might think it is going to go one way,
but is lands up going another. Do not miss out on anything, or you will be
kicking yourself for it.
There is a so much to answer in the chapters to come. Stick around and keep
reading the future chapters, and enjoy! Please email me and let me know how
I am doing at jacobmillertex@aol.com, Thanks!}
EDITOR'S CORNER: Jacob never ceases to amaze me. I cannot fathom how
someone can weave tales like this...and do FOUR chapters a week ???? Most
authors in this genre can do a chapter a month or every six weeks and most
of them are way shorter than any of Jacobs.
Someone asked if I can enjoy the story and still edit. At first, that was
difficult. Now that I've been doing it for so long, I can still enjoy the
story and get it edited. I have to admit, when I volunteered to be Jacob's
editor, I had no idea how big an elephant I was going to be eating! When I
started, there were seven or eight chapters of this story already posted. I
picked up and was going along and Jacob asked me to go back and edit the
first chapters too. Then came the spin-offs...now numbering three. I'm just
proud to be part of this great endeavor.
Getting onto the story: I'm giggling under my breath with Andy Sr. back in
play and Gloria's being handled by him. This is going to get a LOT more
interesting, I suspect. All the way along I've felt Gloria needs a good man
to fix her up and improve her outlook on life. I think you can read my
warped mind behind that last remark.
It is wonderful to have Dewayne in Jacob's life. I sense he is going to be
a rock for Jacob; something Jacob needs and deserves in his life. Dewayne
seems to be very centered and of good character. I hope that he will live
up to the commitments he made to both Jacob and Grandpa Al. Jake sure
deserves a break.
The "fraternization" situation could have really been a mess. Grandpa Al
caught it fast and rightly, nipped it in the bud. Once again, Dewayne
showed his depth of character and quickly prioritized the situation and
took a stand. Jacob was fast on his feet too, setting Dewayne up with Anna
at the Taco Bell.
There's something not right in Dewayne's life at home, I sense. I've not
put my finger on it yet, but something doesn't feel right.
Well, treasured readers, it's late Sunday night and that pesky alarm is
going to go off all too soon. I hope all is well in your world. Give love
away and it always comes back.
Until next time,
"Daddy" Rick